2012-12-10 16:05:56
In France, tap water, or public water, comes mainly from groundwater or surface water catchments (rivers, canals, lakes, reservoirs), i.e. nearly 33,000 catchments in total. Two thirds of the produced flows come from groundwater and most water catchments used for the production of drinking water are small. The majority of water collected from the natural environment undergoes more or less extensive treatment, nearly 15,000 treatment stations make it possible to produce 16 million m3.
Tap water has different uses: food, personal hygiene, domestic cleaning, laundry washing. Also, it must comply with regulatory quality requirements set by ministerial decree for around sixty parameters so that it can be drunk for an entire life without harmful effects on health. Water treatments therefore consist of eliminating possible pathogenic micro-organisms and undesirable or toxic substances (chemical pollutants and excess mineral salts). They are also intended to maintain the microbiological and physicochemical quality of water in the distribution networks up to the consumer’s tap.
An extremely monitored product
Water quality is subject to monitoring by water producers and distributors and health control by regional health agencies. In fact, tap water is, in France, one of the most controlled foods.
The regulatory provisions specifying the conditions for placing on the market and using water treatment products and processes and materials in contact with water also ensure the health safety of water.
Upstream, the obligation to protect water resources used for the production of water intended for human consumption also contributes to this objective. Protection perimeters are thus set up around the catchments. More than half benefit from protection with a declaration of public utility. In continuation of the first National Health-Environment Plan, the second action plan 2009-2013 (PNSE 2) plans to effectively protect the resource and continue the establishment of protection perimeters by protecting the feeding areas catchments most sensitive to environmental contamination.
The regulatory system rigorously regulates the quality of water intended for human consumption at all stages (from the resource used to the consumer’s tap) both in terms of requirements for means and results.
The role of ANSES
The Agency assesses the health risks linked to the presence of micro-organisms or chemical contaminants in water resources and water intended for human consumption (EDCH). It also evaluates the safety and effectiveness of treatment processes and products and the health safety of materials coming into contact with public water supply. It provides, for example, opinions on innovative treatment products and processes such as membrane processes (ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis) intended for drinking water plants, on cleaning products for water towers and water tanks. , or on disinfectants.
It contributes to the development of regulations, standards and guidelines at national and community level.
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